May9, 2017

WASHINGTON—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, this evening made the following statement:

“The President’s abrupt firing of the official responsible for investigating the Trump-Russia Scandal is one of the most astounding and troubling actions I’ve seen from an American President since Watergate. I had my share of concerns over Mr. Comey’s recent actions as FBI Director, but firing Mr. Comey at the very moment a grand jury was summoning witnesses on the Trump-Russia scandal suggests an agenda of obstruction and obfuscation from the highest levels of the Trump Administration. The White House’s explanation for this firing doesn’t pass the laugh test.

“This action only underscores the need for a special prosecutor and an independent commission to get to the bottom of this scandal. Congress should act quickly to pass the Swalwell-Cummings Protecting Our Democracy Act to establish that commission.”